14-year-old killed in hit-and-run while walking with mother had recently moved to neighborhood

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The 14-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in West Philadelphia on Thursday night had just recently moved to the neighborhood with her family.

The girl, who police identified as Dawn Watson, was a student at Lewis C. Cassidy School. She was a first-year student who was already beloved by many, according to the school's principal.

"She was very independent, very mature, always thinking about her friends," said Monique Braxton, Deputy Chief of Communications for the School District of Philadelphia.

Police said the victim and her mother were walking home from the grocery store around 9:30 p.m. when a speeding vehicle came through the intersection at 66th Street and Haverford Avenue and hit the teenager.

Video obtained by Action News shows the force of the collision was so powerful that the girl was launched several feet down the street.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said the driver, who was in a dark-colored vehicle, possibly a Mercedes, did not stop.

Neighbors who live near the intersection said they were devastated and frustrated after learning someone had been hit and the victim was a child.

"I didn't know her, but that's one of ours who was killed and it's sad," said Sharon Jones.

One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she heard the crash and witnessed the heartbreaking aftermath.

"It was a woman in the street and she said, 'My baby,' and she started running," according to the witness. "I was trying to call 911."

Several neighbors told Action News the intersection where the victim was fatally hit has been a problem for years.

They said there are constant accidents at or near the intersection because of speeding and reckless driving.

Even more concerning to folks who live in the area is the fact that many children who attend schools in the area deal with the dangers at the intersection, despite the presence of a crossing guard.

"She can barely do her job. They almost run her over on the sidewalk coming up on the curb to go around people," said a woman who only wanted to be known as Saida.

As people stopped by a growing memorial near where the victim was hit, several questioned why there weren't speed cushions in the roadway to slow vehicles down.

Jones said something needed to be done so a heartbreaking loss, like what happened Thursday night, never happens again.

She also called on the driver to do the right thing.

"Whoever did it they need to turn themselves in and face whatever they got to face on this because it was wrong," said Jones.

The investigation is ongoing and is being handled by the Philadelphia Police Department's Crash Investigation Division.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).